“That’s what the West is about today. There is a story of the West that should not be told yet,” he said.
Anderson calls his style a “big controlled mess,” a form of “cataloging Americana.” Using mostly acrylic and Sharpies, Anderson’s designs of trout, elk, deer and even turkeys are iconic here in Idaho and have been featured in many outdoor publications.
After growing up in Minnesota, Anderson taught himself finer painting styles and soon found work at the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. There Anderson cut his saltwater fishing teeth, chasing redfish and tarpon.
But it wasn’t the shallow fish themselves that drove Anderson’s vision for his artwork. It is something deeper.
“I have a terrible memory for hunting and fishing stories, but I remember the experiences,” he said. “I can not remember the fish, but I remember the times we spent fishing. The food, my companions. It’s about watching elk with your kids. We’re lucky to live in a state where you have great experiences every time you go out.”
